Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Cowboys.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Cowboys.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his team warm up before the preseason game against the Cowboys.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his team warm up before the preseason game against the Cowboys.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster throws a football, with receiver Andre Johnson, left, before the game.

Texans running back Arian Foster throws a football, with receiver Andre Johnson, left, before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a football before the game.

Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a football before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, left, and running back Arian Foster talk on the field before the game.

Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, left, and running back Arian Foster talk on the field before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fans cheer as the Texans take the field before the game.

Texans fans cheer as the Texans take the field before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Receptions help cement comeback for Texans’ DeVier Posey

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ARLINGTON — DeVier Posey accelerated everything. His comeback. His immediate return. And his official 2013 debut.

When the Texans and third-string quarterback Case Keenum began their first possession against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday at AT&T Stadium, Posey was expected to be on the sideline. But a 6-1, 211-pound wide receiver who tore his left Achilles tendon Jan. 13 during an AFC divisional-round playoff loss at New England was instead spread out along the Texans’ line. Soon, Posey was pulling in a 7-yard pass from Keenum on his first play, which occurred less than eight months after a major injury.

The catch was erased by a penalty. But Posey was back. He alternated with rookie tight end Ryan Griffin as Keenum’s favorite early target during the Texans’ 24-6 victory, finishing with two catches (on three balls thrown his way) for 18 yards, including 15 off a slant route that saw Posey exploit Dallas’ soft middle.

For a second-year wideout who surprised everyone but his himself by his quicker-than-expected return, Thursday’s debut was validation for everything Posey endured after his Achilles suddenly failed him.

“When you put the pads on and strap the helmet on, you’re all amped up, and you’re like, ‘Dang. I miss this. I miss this.’ It’s been probably one of the happiest days of 2013 for me, man,” said Posey, who played in 11 games during his rookie season, catching six passes for 87 yards.

Deepened corps

Posey’s return added another key name to an already-deep Texans receiving corps that is led by six-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson and has been bolstered by rookie wideout DeAndre Hopkins, Keshawn Martin and Lestar Jean.

While starting quarterback Matt Schaub passed for 4,008 yards last season — the third year in four he’s broken 4,000 — the Texans’ offense slowed down and thinned out as the team’s 12-4 season fell apart. Schaub won’t be any more mobile this year, and his offense doesn’t regularly stretch and extend the field like some modern clubs. But a deeper, faster set of receivers could change the Texans’ attack just by giving Schaub multiple options in varied sets.

“That’s part of having a great team. You’ve got to be deep in every position,” Posey said. “And the year’s so long, and guys get nicked and bruised. I just feel like we’re deep enough in each position for the long haul, man.”

Hopkins has mid- and deep-range potential. Martin can be an occasional complement to Johnson, while Jean pulled in two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown on Thursday. But Posey could be a second-level difference this season, pairing with Hopkins to give the Texans two receivers to ease Johnson’s burden and a possible slot receiver to open the middle for running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate.

“I feel good about DeVier. He got in 14 plays,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “We wanted him to touch the ball. He got tackled. He’s confident, and he’s ready to go.”

Ahead of schedule

Posey was a calm pro after the game. He knew he’d defy expectations by devoting his offseason to his health and his team. The Texans will take whatever they can initially get from a wide receiver who wasn’t expected to be in uniform for the Sept. 9 opener at San Diego. But they also know a primed, confident Posey could be a difference-maker in 2013.

“That was really awesome,” quarterback T.J. Yates said. “Everybody’s been rooting for him. He’s come back so quick from that injury, and everybody’s seen
him all summer long, all offseason long really busting his tail every single day.”